Learning No-Limit From Scratch ­- Badly Donking a Hand

I try to learn from my mistakes. God knows I make my share. That said, I’ve always felt that if I didn’t acknowledge making any, I was being complacent and not trying. Or worse yet, not admitting any of my mistakes to myself. And if I falsely justify every error and don’t admit my own mistakes to myself, I have no hope of learning from them.

Competitive skills are usually one of my strengths. By “competitive skills,” I mean focus, consistency, coming to play every day, always trying my best, keeping my mind in the game, and so on. In short, keeping my mind clear and focusing on deep-thinking while I play. Having good competitive skills can make up for a lot of shortcomings in other areas.

I was in a lively $2-5 no-limit hold’em game at the Venetian. A live and easy to read player with more than $2,000 in front of him straddled under the gun for $10. He was called by a loose-aggressive recreational player to my immediate right, a player whom I also had tells on and was over $1,000 deep. From middle position, I peered down at K K, about $1,200 deep, and made it $35 to go. I had been card dead for a while, was not in the texture of game to make a lot of moves, and hadn’t played a hand in quite a while, therefore I had a tight image. Everyone folded to Mr. Straddler, who called, as did Mr. Rec Player. We took the flop three-handed for $35, $112 in the pot. I liked my spot, position on two soft players, both easy to read opponents, and almost indubitably the best hand.

The flop came the 9 9 7. Mr. Straddler insta-checked and exhibited no interest in the hand. Mr. Rec Player knuckled, and I chose to take a non-standard line and checked my kings. I felt that Mr. Straddler was the sort I could get big value from if he turned a pair or a draw, and I felt I would read if he outdrew me and get away from my hand. I wanted to get some post-flop value from my hand, was up against the right texture of opponents to make a trap play, and was willing to assume some risk in order to acquire that value. Additionally, I thought checking might induce some turn and river bluffs from either opponent.

The turn came the 2, putting a flush draw on the board. Mr. Straddler checked, and Mr. Rec Player fired in $75. Previously, Mr. Rec Player had fired in his bluffs and hesitated with his bets when he was looking for a call. I immediately read this for a bluff and chose to flat, looking for him to barrel the river, a bet I had already set in my mind to call. Mr. Straddler folded behind us.

The river came the A, obviously not the card I was hoping for. Mr. Rec Player hemmed and hawed and slowly counted out $140 to wager. I was anxiously waiting for him to bet, ready to call as was pre-determined in my mind from my turn read. He bet, I insta-called. He turned over 7 4 for a flush.

I was insta-pissed at myself, and that was being kind to myself! Mr. Rec Player had exhibited a tell on the turn indicating he didn’t want a call, but had reversed it and indicated he wanted a call on the river. I hadn’t bothered, out of sheer sloppiness and laziness, to reprocess the river information. And it had cost me $140, as I wouldn’t have called had I thought it through.

I had gone against everything I’ve ever thought regarding how to make decisions in poker. Most of the time, I never make a firm decision until I have accumulated all the information I can. I never predetermine my judgements. I never know exactly what I’m going to do until I do it! My judgements are much better that way. I have way too much experience and knowledge to be making stupid errors like this. I know better, I just had a moment of mental laxness, and it cost me. That said, it may be a blessing in disguise. If it sticks in my memory for a long period of time, like I think it will, it’ll improve my focus for a long time to come.

I’ve written before how small edges make big differences over time in poker. Big edges make much bigger differences over time. And the level of attentiveness you pay to a game will make big differences in your edge. Not only do you avoid stupid errors like the one I made, but you’ll have better feel, read hands better, and go on tilt less often. Additionally, a high level of awareness will grow your game while you play. You’ll think about plays and counter–strategies, do poker-math equations while you observe, and so forth. All of which will strengthen your game.

The mistake I made was an amateur one. I’m embarrassed to admit I made it. However, it’s my hope that we all learn from my error, and that you and I will never make a mistake along those lines ever again.

So, pay attention—don’t get sloppy. If you’re not there to play competitively, go home and come back when you are. It’ll save you the embarrassment of having to admit mistakes like this to yourself!

Plus, think about the effect good focus will have on your bankroll and your life! It’s well worth the effort! ♠

Roy Cooke played poker professionally for 16 years prior to becoming a successful Las Vegas Real Estate Broker/Salesman. Should you wish any information about Real Estate matters-including purchase, sale or mortgage his office number is 702-376-1515 or Roy’s e-mail is [email protected]. His website is www.roycooke.com. You can also find him on Facebook or Twitter @RealRoyCooke